U.S. Government Essay

Submitted By ItaliaGK
Words: 601
Pages: 3

The U.S. Constitution is the worlds oldest written national constitution still in effect. It was ratified on June 21, 1788. In this constitution there were three branches of government that was put in control to help run and keep our country safe. These three branches of government are the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branch. Each branch has there own job to do and their own members to do it. The Executive branch is headed by the president. In order to become the president you must be a natural-born citizen of the U.S., have lived in the country for at least 14 years, and must be at least 35 years old. The constitution has given the president these jobs: Commander and chief of the armed forces; negotiating treaties; appointing federal judges; cabinet official and many more. In the president's cabinet his members consist of the attorney general and the secretaries of state, Treasury, defense, homeland security, interior, agriculture, commerce, labor, health and human services, housing and urban development, transportation, education, energy, and veterans affairs. All of these jobs are appointed by the president with the approval of the senate. With all these members of the senate there is also independent regulatory agencies. These agencies include the federal reserve system and the securities and exchange commission, the Tennessee valley authority, the national railroad passenger corporation and the U.S. Postal service The legislative branch, otherwise known as the U.S. Congress, consist of two houses. These houses are known as the Senate and the house of representatives. Congress can levy taxes, borrow money, impeach and convict the president, declare war, discipline its own membership, and determine its rules of procedures. Bills may be introduced and change in both houses but has to be approved and then signed by the president to become a law. A bill may also be vetoed by the president but the congress can override the veto with a two thirds vote. The house of representatives may impeach the president or any other public official by a majority vote. The house of representatives is elected by the direct vote of the electorate in single-member districts in each state.